*4.4. Preparation of Coating Formulas*

The coating solution was prepared using sterile distilled water and 1.5% xanthan (*w*/*v*). As a plasticizer agent, glycerol 0.5% (*v*/*v*) was utilized in the xanthan (XAN) coating solution, followed by stirring for 30 min on magnetic stirrer. The gel formed after heating the coating solution at 85–90 ◦C for 3–5 min, then the solution was cooled at room temperature. Different percentages (0, 1, and 2%) of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) were added to xanthan to prepare the composite coating formulas (XAN-EEP 0%, XAN -EEP 1%, and XAN-EEP 2%).
